[0001] The invention to which this application relates is to apparatus which can be used
to perform cutting actions on one or more work pieces such as, but not exclusively,
work pieces in the form of sheet material such as, for example, wooden and/or laminate
flooring.
[0002] With any form of work piece which is required to be fitted into a particular type
of area, there is often a need for the same to be cut to suit particular area dimensions
and area edges and very often a need for different cuts to be used such as rip cuts
and cross cuts. For example, when fitting laminate flooring in a room, at least certain
of the strips of laminate will be required to be cut to a particular length or width
where the same are to be located at or adjacent to walls of the room or other structures
within the building. Conventionally, this can be done manually by using a saw but,
often the accuracy and quality of cut which can be achieved, is unsuitable and can
lead to the finished floor having a poor appearance and/or not fitting correctly.
A further problem is that the manual cutting of the laminate sheet material can be
tiring for the person and therefore on occasion, they may attempt to perform the cutting
action using other power tools which may not be suitable for the particular purpose
and can therefore be dangerous to use and therefore may not perform a particularly
attractive finish.
[0003] It is also known to provide apparatus which is of a size and scale which can accept
the dimension of the sheet material to cut the same but that apparatus tends to be
of a form which is located in a work shop or other permanent location and therefore
can not be used on site to perform the cutting operation on the sheet material. This
form of apparatus is therefore of little use to a person who may be fitting the laminate
flooring in a particular room or confined or restricted space as, in many cases, the
dimensions of the area in which the sheet material, such as wood floor, composite
wood laminates, skirting boards, door casings, floor panels, panelling, and the like,
is to be fitted are not known and therefore not all of the items of sheet material
can be cut to size prior to transporting the same to site for fitting and therefore
cutting on site is required to be performed.
[0004] US3945286 and
US4494431 both disclose saw arrangements in which the saw blade and handle are located below
the slides along which the same can be moved in order to perform a cutting action.
The cutting unit in each case may be held in position on the slides by the provision
of screws which are required to be tightened.
US6427677 discloses apparatus in which the cutting unit may be located in an undisclosed manner
on the slides which support the same.
EP0941797 discloses a cutting unit supported for sliding movement along a slide when in use.
US5440815 and
DE494021 discloses hand held saw apparatus which can be used to be moved onto and through
a workpiece to perform a cutting action, with a guard provided to allow the selective
exposure of a portion of the blade to perform the cut.
US2006/0201299 discloses a mitre saw which the cutting head is pivotally movable. The preamble of
claim 1 is based on this document.
[0005] An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide apparatus of a form which
can be used to perform a cutting action on a work piece such as laminate flooring,
flooring panels or the like and to allow the cutting action to be performed on site
and in an accurate and safe manner.
[0006] According to the invention there is provided a powered cutting apparatus according
to claim 1.
[0007] Typically, in the first mode the workpiece is held in a stationary position with
the cutting unit moved to cut through the workpiece and form a cross cut and in the
second mode of operation the workpiece is moved past the stationary cutting unit such
that the rotating blade therein cuts the workpiece to form a rip cut. Typically there
is provided a guard which at least partially encloses the blade in operation, said
guard capable of being held in a fixed, safety position by an interlock assembly.
Typically the interlock assembly is biased towards the fixed guard position, and can
be released by an operator with their hand when the apparatus is in the first mode
of operation, and is released by movement of the said locking assembly to allow the
second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation the guard is free to move
to a raised position to travel along the top surface of the workpiece when contacting
the workpiece, as the interlock assembly is released.
[0008] Typically, when released in either mode the leading edge of the guard is capable
of rising up the front edge of the workpiece and along the top surface of the workpiece
being cut. It is safe for the guard to be held in the raised position when in the
second mode of operation because the cutting unit is fixed and therefore the user's
hands do not need to be located on the cutting unit when the blade is rotating and
instead are located at a remote location on the workpiece to move the same and/or
using a pushing tool to push the workpiece.
[0009] According to the invention, the blade is positioned such that at least a lower portion
thereof, is received within a slot in the base, said slot running parallel to at least
one slide member and along which slot, the said blade moves when the cutting and handle
assembly are moved along the slide.
[0010] In one embodiment the cutting unit can be held in a fixed position by the operation
of the locking assembly and access gained to the blade to allow the same to be changed
when worn, or a different type of blade is required to be used. In this case when
the blade is released from the cutting unit the same can be removed by passing it
through the slot to the underside of the base and the new blade can be introduced
to the cutting unit through the slot.
[0011] According to the invention, two slides are provided, said slides running parallel
to one another and, in one embodiment, located so as to be one above the other. The
slides are typically provided in a fixed location on the base and, in one embodiment,
a first bearing assembly is provided to locate on the lower slide and second and third
bearing assemblies are provided to locate on the upper slide. It should be appreciated
that while this is a preferred embodiment, other slide numbers and configurations
can be used and are incorporated herein.
[0012] Typically control means to allow the operation of the apparatus are positioned on
the cutting unit so as to lie intermediate the blade and the handle assembly of the
apparatus.
[0013] In one embodiment, the base is substantially planar and rigid and can be manufactured
of a wood or wood based material or metal or metal alloy and supported on the support
surface by feet which are provided to resist movement of the apparatus across a support
surface when using the apparatus. In one embodiment, and where necessary, load spreading
washers can be used to secure components to the base to spread load and avoid problems
caused by base degradation or corrosion. Alternatively a stand can be provided to
allow the apparatus to be raised from the support surface.
[0014] In one embodiment, the base can be used as storage means for components which are
not in use, said components including any or any combination of; one or more fences
against which the work piece abuts, and/or a pushing device which can be used by the
user of the apparatus to contact with the work piece to be cut and push said work
piece into position and/or move the work piece part the blade so as to perform the
cutting operation.
[0015] If required carrying means such as a strap, handle or the like can be provided on
or attached to the apparatus. Typically the apparatus is portable and can therefore
be transported for use at the location at which the workpiece which is to be cut is
to be flitted in place for use. This therefore means that persons such as joiners,
carpenters or the like can cut the workpiece to the desired size and shape and therefore
do not need to leave the site every time they require cuts to be made, and/or do not
need to rake accurate measurements and then go off site to do the work and/or do not
need to invest in relatively expensive machinery and/or to pay other parties to perform
the cutting operations.
[0016] In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a fence for use in the second mode of operation
in performing a cut called a rip cut when the workpiece is moved with respect to the
cutting unit, with the contact face of the fence, substantially parallel to the elongate
axis of the slide members. The fence is preferably movable between positions intermediate
the cutting blade and the slides so as to provide a contact face at a required location
and against which an edge of the work piece can be placed to ensure accurate cutting,
and therefore ensure that the cut in the workpiece is parallel with the edge of the
workpiece in contact with the fence.
[0017] In one embodiment, the positioning of the fence can be selected and locked using
one or more locking means such as threaded bolts or screws and/or a cam assembly.
Typically the fence assembly is located with one or more slots on a baseplate which
receive locking means which are secured to the base, the length of said slots defining
the extent of variation in the position of the contact face and guiding the movement
of the tence to ensure that the contact face of the fence against which the work piece
is located is maintained in a substantially parallel relationship with the cutting
plane of the blade.
[0018] In one embodiment, a fence assembly is provided for use when performing a cross cut
on the workpiece in the first mode of operation, said fence assembly rotatably positionable
within a predefined range so as to allow angular adjustment of an edge face of the
same against which the work piece can be positioned to allow an angular cut to be
created along the work piece.
[0019] In one embodiment, the said fence assembly incorporates a clamp which passes through
the base and has a portion which can be tightened onto the work piece to clamp the
same in position.
[0020] In one embodiment, the said fence assembly is pivotally movable within a predefined
range such as ±10" and/or movable to predefined angle locations.
[0021] Typically, the handle assembly is located on and/or formed as part of the bearing
assembly such that the force applied by the user to slidably move the cutting unit
along the slide members, which force will also typically include a downward component,
is located close to the slide members thereby ensuring that the sliding movement exerted
on the cutting unit, is accurately controlled.
[0022] Typically, the drive means is in the form of an electric motor which is mounted with
its longitudinal axis in a substantially horizontal plane, perpendicular to the axis
of rotation of the blade.
[0023] The blade is preferably driven so as to rotate with respect to the workpiece such
that the teeth pass through the workpiece from the face closest to the base to the
opposing face, thus performing an upcutting action. This prevents the workpiece from
being "driven" by the action of the blade in a direction past the cutting head and
hence prevents possible injury to the user of the apparatus by uncontrolled movement
of the workpiece when being cut.
[0024] In one embodiment, the handle assembly includes a grip portion, which, with respect
to the position of user of the apparatus, is angled from a raised location at its
furthest point from the user, to its lowest height closest to the user.
[0025] According to the invention, the axis of rotation of the blade, is located at a fixed
height with respect to the base. The guard is typically provided to enclose the majority
of the cutting blade and typically said guard is formed as one piece and is slidingly
and/or pivotally movable with respect to the cutting blade so as to allow a sufficient
portion of the blade to be exposed to cut through the workpiece. It is preferred that
at least a portion of the guard is formed of a transparent material so as to allow
the interior of the guard, including the blade and workpiece, to be viewable.
[0026] I n one embodiment, the guard has a leading edge which in use, when there is relative
movement between the cutting head and workpiece to bring the same together, abuts
with a leading edge of the work piece and then raises upwardly to the height of the
top surface of the workpiece to allow the blade to be exposed to the workpiece and
for the blade to then cut through the same upon further relative movement.
[0027] In one embodiment, the guard includes an adjustable cutting guide mounted at the
leading face and said guard can include a laser or LED line generator provided as
part thereof or mounted adjacent thereto.
[0028] Typically the position of the generator is adjustable so as to allow the guideline
to be aligned with the line of cut, or both or either sides of the kerf of the blade.
[0029] In one embodiment a guide is provided to be movable so as to lie on and move along
the top surface of the workpiece being cur, thereby allowing the user to maintain
the guide on the workpiece in alignment with a guide line formed on the workpiece.
In one embodiment a further guide may also be provided.
[0030] The guard and/or apparatus may include an illumination means which allows illumination
of the area of the work piece at which the cutting action is being performed. In one
embodiment the lateral movement of the guide is prevented or minimised so as to ensure
the accuracy of the use of the guide.
[0031] The apparatus may also include a dust and debris collection means which allows dust
and debris on the work piece which is created by the cutting action to be removed
from the interior of the guard. In one embodiment, the direction of rotation of the
blade is used to create an airflow which collects the dust and debris from the cut
area and moves the same through the guard to exit at a location remote from the cut
area.
[0032] In one embodiment, the guard is pivotally and/or slidingly movable with respect to
the remainder of the cutting unit, about a position on the cutting head which is offset
to the cutting blade. In one embodiment this movement is about a pivot axis or alternatively
the movement of the guide is guided by at least one pin slidably movable along a slot
or aperture. Typically, the movement of the guard upwardly is such that the base of
the leading edge of the guard passes along and in contact with the top face of the
work piece being cut.
[0033] Typically the guard, on at least one side of the blade includes a recess portion,
offset from the leading edge of the same, which allows the guard to move back towards
the base once the trailing edge of the workpiece passes the recess or step. This recess
or step allows the rear or trailing edge of the workpiece to be held against the step
and hence prevents the ongoing rotational movement of the blade from causing a "kick
back" effect on the piece of material which has been cut from the workpiece. The term
kick back describes the possibility of the off cut piece being driven back towards
the operator of the apparatus at speed by the blade rotation and hence prevents the
risk of injury.
[0034] The guard is typically biased towards a position downwardly towards the base thereby
minimising the opportunity for a user to gain access to the blade as it rotates.
[0035] In one embodiment, a biasing force is exerted on the guard. In one embodiment the
force is in the region of 10Nm. This prevents or minimises the risk of the user unwittingly
inserting their finger under the guard and into the path of the blade.
[0036] In one embodiment, the work piece which is cut is in the form of planar or sheet
material of a maximum depth of 18mm.
[0037] In one embodiment, the sheet material is laminate flooring or wooden composite boards
or wooden boards for flooring.
[0038] Typically, the at least one slide is mounted with respect to the base, via mounting
brackets, one provided at each end of the slides, or alternatively a bracket is provided
at one end only so as to mount the slide, thereby leaving a slot along the remaining
length of the slide between the base and the underside of the slide. This allows sheet
material which is being cross cut, to be passed through the slot if required so as
to allow the line to be cut on the workpiece to be positioned accurately with the
blade of the cutting unit. This arrangement of the slides and brackets therefore ensures
that there are a minimum number of obstructions on the base, thereby maximising the
length and possible positioning of the sheet material which can be cut using the apparatus
in accordance with the invention. In one embodiment a workpiece of a dimension of
up to 430mm can be placed through the slot.
[0039] Although mainly envisaged to be operated on a support surface in a horizontal plane,
in one embodiment, the apparatus can be adapted to be supported with the top face
of the base in another plane, such as a vertical plane, with the apparatus attached
to a supported wall or other structure.
[0040] The powered cutting apparatus can comprise a base onto which a work piece to be cut
can be placed, and guide means including at least one slide member and at least one
bearing assembly located on said guide means for selective movement there along, a
cutting unit comprising a rotatable blade and drive means for rotating said blade
when switched on, said cutting unit mounted on and to one side of the bearing
assembly and wherein the cutting unit includes a guard for the blade which is pivotally
movable between a first position and a second position in which the blade is sufficiently
exposed to perform a cutting action, and said movement of the guard to the second
position is achieved by contact with and relative movement between the workpiece and
the leading edge of the guard.
[0041] Typically the guard is biased towards the first position and the contact and movement
of the workpiece acts against the biasing means. Typically the guard is held in the
second position while the workpiece is positioned between the underside of the guard
and the base and, thereafter, the guard returns to the first position.
[0042] The powered cutting apparatus can also comprise a base onto which a work piece to
be cut can be placed, and guide means including at least one slide member and at least
one bearing assembly located on said slide member for selective movement there along,
a cutting unit comprising a rotatable blade and drive means for rotating said blade
when switched on, said cutting unit supported on the bearing and said apparatus further
including a handle portion mounted adjacent said at least one bearing assembly and/or
intermediate said at least one bearing assembly and cutting unit.
[0043] In one embodiment the cutting unit and handle are disposed to the same side of said
at least one slide member.
[0044] The powered cutting apparatus may also a base onto which a work piece to be cut can
be placed, and guide means including at least one slide member and at least one bearing
assembly located on said guide means for selective movement there along, a cutting
unit comprising a rotatable blade, a guard for the same, and drive means for rotating
said blade when switched on, said cutting unit mounted to one side of the guide means
such that the blade is spaced from the guide means and wherein a locking assembly
is provided to allow the operation of the apparatus in a first mode in which the cutting
unit is movable along the guide means with the locking assembly released and operation
of the locking assembly allows operation of the apparatus in a second mode in which
the cutting unit is fixed on the guide means and the workpiece is moved past the same.
[0045] The powered cutting apparatus, is provided for cutting a substantially planer workpiece
via a cutting unit having a blade driven to be rotated, wherein said apparatus is
selectively operable in a first mode in which the cutting unit is movable with respect
to the workpiece to cross cut the same and in a second mode in which the cutting unit
position is fixed and the workpiece is moved past the same for a rip cut to be performed.
[0046] Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying
drawings wherein;
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of apparatus in accordance with one embodiment
of the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a side view of apparatus of figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates an opposing side view of the apparatus of figure 1;
Figure 4 illustrates a detailed perspective view of the leading edge of the guard
with sight guides attached;
Figure 5 illustrates a plan view of the base ;
Figure 6 illustrates detailed view of the locking assembly forth e cutting unit;
Figure 7 illustrates a cross sectional view along line AA of Figure 3; and
Figures 8a and b illustrate an elevation and end elevation of a blade guard in accordance
with the invention.
[0047] Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated apparatus 2 in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention. The apparatus comprises a base 3 which can, in one embodiment,
be formed of wood or ply wood material and which is provided with supporting feet
4 at the corners thereof. The feet are typically formed of a compliant anti-slip material
so as to prevent the base from sliding along a support surface when in use. It should
be appreciated that although the base is shown to be of a rectangular plan, the shape
can be altered to suit specific requirements. The base can also receive stops or other
location means which can be positioned to define a particular location for repeated
cutting at the same cut line position of successive workpieces.
[0048] A slot 6 is formed along a substantially central longitudinal axis of the base and
the slot 6 is provided to receive a portion of a cutting blade 9 as shown in Figure
7, which is provided as part of a cutting unit 10. The blade is provided to rotate
about the axis of rotation 12 which is permanently spaced from the base so as to allow
the lowest portion 11 of the blade to enter into or be positioned adjacent to the
slot 6 in the base 3 and which, when rotated, performs a cutting operation on a work
piece 103 shown in Figure 4.
[0049] The work piece to be cut is typically relatively thin sheet material and is positioned
on the base 3 at a selected location. The location can be selected with regard to
a fence assembly 34 when in a first mode of operation when the cutting unit is movable,
or a fence assembly 16 when in a second mode of operation with the cutting unit held
in a fixed position.
[0050] The fence assembly 16 incorporates a contact face 14 against which an edge of the
sheet material is positioned to position the same correctly for the rip cut cutting
operation to be performed. Depending from the face is provided a support plate 18
which, in this embodiment, includes a slotted aperture 20 which receives a threaded
pin or bolt 24, which is received, in turn, in a threaded aperture in the base. Further
guides can be provided to ensure that the fence contact face 14 is maintained substantially
parallel with the blade 6 and hence the cutting line on the workpiece.
[0051] If required, although not shown, an alternative fence assembly may be fixed in position,
using the same mounting plate arrangement in which the face against which the edge
of the work piece is positioned, lies perpendicular to the blade in the base.
[0052] The fence assembly 34 is also provided on the base 3 and this fence assembly can
be selectively used for a cross cut in the first mode of operation to allow a cross
cut to be achieved, typically across the width of the workpiece and in this case,
the fence assembly 34 includes a face 36 against which an edge of the sheet material
is to be positioned and this face is pivotally movable about pivot location 32, typically
within substantially plus 10 and substantially minus 10 degrees of a centre datum
line. Once the angular adjustment is achieved, the threaded screw or bolt 40 which
sits in the slot 42 can be tightened. It will be noted that there is a further slot
38 in which a rod 37, connected to the base sits. The extent of length of the slot
38, determines the angular degree of adjustment which is possible. In one use, the
cut can be directly across at 90 degrees or a range of predetermined angular positions
such as macro angles 15°, 20°, 30°, 45° to be achieved are defined and location means
are provided to allow the fence to be selectively retained in a particular angular
location.
[0053] A clamp device 50 is provided which includes a threaded rod 52 with a foot 54, which
foot can be formed so as to prevent damage to the work piece against which the same
is clamped. This clamp is therefore used to maintain the work piece in a position
on the base.
[0054] In order to perform the cutting operations, the cutting unit 10 is provided in connection
with drive means 56 which are mounted, in this example with its longitudinal axis
in a substantially horizontal plane and can be connected to a suitable power supply
58. Also provided, typically inline with the drive means, are switches 60 which allow
the selective operation and rotation of the blade to perform the cutting operation.
[0055] It should be appreciated that the drive means used, and the connection means between
the drive means and the blade may be altered depending on the scale of the apparatus.
For example, different versions of the apparatus may be provided of different sizes
such that for example, a larger version may require a drive connection between the
drive means and the blade to be achieved using a drive belt, whereas other versions
may require drive connections using a suitable gear assembly.
[0056] The cutting unit including the drive means, are mounted with respect to a bearing
assembly 64 which is also provided with a handle assembly 66. As shown, the cutting
unit and handle are offset to one side of first and second guide means in the form
of slide members 68, 70. The bearing assembly is connected to the slides, in this
case with a first bearing 78 mounted on the lower slide 70 and second and third bearings
72, 74 mounted on the upper slide 68 at spaced locations thereon. In one embodiment,
the bearings are self lubricating and may be detailed with inherent resilience to
take into account and mitigate any tolerance which there may be in the surfaces of
the slide members. Other forms of slide arrangements could be used such as linear
bearings, profiled tubes for the slides and/or plain bearings.
[0057] The slide members are held in the spaced position by first and second mounting brackets
76, 80 which are secured to the base 3 and which, preferably, are secured to the base
at each end of the slides thereby leaving a slot 82 between the base 3 and the underside
of the lower slide 70. This slot can be used to allow the accommodation of a work
piece which is being cross cut and which may be required to be slid through the slot
so as to be able to position the same appropriately with regard to the blade.
[0058] The handle assembly 66 typically includes a gripping portion 84 which is sloped so
as to have its highest portion 86 furthest from the location 88 of the person when
using the apparatus and a lower portion 90 closest to the user.
[0059] The apparatus can typically be used in two modes of operation, a first mode in which
the cutting unit can be moved along the slides and a second mode in which the cutting
unit 10, is held stationery with respect to the slide members 68, 70. In this second
mode the work piece is moved towards the cutting blade 9 in the direction of arrow
91 and continued to be moved past the cutting blade until the cut in the work piece
has been completed. In this case a side edge of the workpiece abuts with and moves
along the contact surface 14 of the fence assembly 16.
[0060] An interlock assembly 94 is provided and shown in Figure 6. The interlock assembly
is biased to hold the guard 96 in a fixed lowered position. The interlock assembly
can be released by an operator with their hand when gripping the cutting head handle
66 when the apparatus is in the first mode of operation, and is released and held
in that position by movement of the said locking assembly 95 when in the second mode
of operation. The interlock assembly is shown in the released position in Figure 6
and it also shows how the same pivots about axis 151 as indicated by arrow 153. When
released in either mode the leading edge of the guard is capable of rising up the
front edge of the workpiece and along the top surface of the workpiece being cut so
as to expose sufficient of the blade to cut through the workpiece.
[0061] In tube second mode of operation the guard 96 is held in an open position by the
movement of the locking assembly pin 95 into the slide 68, typically into an aperture
on the slide to hold the cutting unit in the fixed position. At the same time the
movement of the pin engages a latch 97 of the interlock assembly 94 such that the
interlock assembly pivots about axis 151 and the engagement between the interlock
assembly 94 and the guard protrusion 99 is released such that the guard is free to
move up and along the workpiece. The bearing assembly 64 is locked with the slide
via pin 95 either by the same acting as a brake or passing into an aperture located
on at least one of the slides which serves to lock the cutting unit in position for
this operation mode.
[0062] Typically the interlock assembly 94 is biased towards a guard fixed position so as
to ensure that the guard will stay in a lowered safety position.
[0063] In the first mode of operation a cross cut can be performed and in this case an edge
of the workpiece is placed against the contact face 36 of the fence assembly 34. In
this mode the work piece is held stationery and, with the locking assembly pin 95
released from the slide, the cutting unit including the bearing assembly and handle
assembly are slidably movable along the slide members as indicated by arrow 92 so
as to move the rotating blade along and through the work piece to perform the cross
cutting operation. However the guard is in the default down position unless the operator
operates the interlock latch 97 to release the interlock 94 from the guard protrusion
99. The requirement to operate the latch to free the guard for movement can be achieved
by the users hand when gripping the handle 66 and means that it can be ensured that
the user's hands are only at the cutting unit handle and hence well removed from the
blade and therefore provide an important safety feature. When the cutting unit is
in the fixed locked position the unit is in a safe position to allow the blade change
to be performed.
[0064] The blade of the cutting unit is almost entirely enclosed within the guard 96, which
guard is typically transparent as shown in Figure 1 where the blade 9 is visible.
The guard can be pivotally movable and/or slidably movable about axis 98.
[0065] The guard is formed as a one piece unit and can be moved between a first position
shown in Figure 2 in which the lower edge 102 is in contact with or adjacent to the
base 3 thereby enclosing the blade, and a second position in which the lower edge
102 is raised to lie on the top surface of the workpiece positioned on the base so
that the blade is sufficiently exposed to cur the workpiece and the workpiece can
pass between the lower edge of the guard and the top surface of the base. To achieve
this movement the guard is provided with a leading face or edge 100 which is angled
108 such that when the front edge of the work piece 103 which is to be cut, contacts
with the leading face 107 of the workpiece 103 as shown in broken lines in Figure
2, in either mode of operation, then continued relative movement causes the angled
leading edge or face 100 of the guard to ride up and over the leading face 107 of
the workpiece, and so the guard is encouraged to move upwardly about the pivot axle
98 to a sufficient extent such that the lower edge 102 of the guard moves to the second
position to contact and slide along the top face 105 of the work piece 103. This means
that there is sufficient clearance between the guard and the base for the work piece
to come into contact with the blade and be cut by the same as the blade rotates. The
clearance is kept to the thickness of the workpiece thereby minimising access to the
blade whilst moving. The blade is rotated in a direction indicated by arrow 113 in
Figure 2 so as to provide an upcutting action with the teeth of the blade positioned
and formed so as to perform a cutting action from the base towards the surface 105
of the workpiece.
[0066] As shown in Figures 8a and b, which show the guard, the side (109) of the guard which
is adjacent the "cut off" portion of the workpiece 103 is recessed at point 111 to
allow the guard to drop down as indicated by arrow 121 when the trailing edge 123
of the cut off piece 119 of the workpiece 103 has passed the same in the direction
of arrow 125. At this stage the cut off piece is separated from the workpiece and
can be removed. The provision of the recess or step contacts with the trailing edge
when the guard drops down, as shown, and hence prevents the cut off piece from kicking
back and moving in direction 127 under the influence of the rotation of the blade
within the guard with which the cut off piece may still be in contact. It also prevents
the cut off piece becoming stuck and maintaining the guard in a potentially unsafe
raised position, once the workpiece cut has in fact been performed.
[0067] Also provided at the front face of the guard, can be a guide means such as a laser
generator 104 with the leading face being formed so as to ensure that there is a free
path for the guideline which is generated. Alternatively, or in addition other illumination
means may be provided to illuminate the portion of the work piece adjacent to the
blade at any given time. It should be appreciated that the guard as herein described
may be used to advantage on other designs and uses of cutting apparatus and is not
confined to use with the apparatus herein described.
[0068] In addition or alternatively one or more sight guides 107,109 can be provided on
the guard as shown in Figure 4. The first guide 107 is mounted to move in a pendulum
manner as indicated by arrows 115 about location 111 which allows the same to be moved
by the contact with the leading edge of the workpiece 103 and then contact with the
top surface 105 of the same. The same can be aligned with a guideline 113 applied
to or generated on the top surface 105 of the workpiece 103. The second guide can
be an edge of the guard which can be aligned with the blade edge and so the two guides
can be used to aid accurate cutting using the apparatus.
[0069] The guard can also be provided with, or have attached, a dust collection channel
106 through which dust or debris created during the cutting operation of the blade,
can be removed from the vicinity and hence allow the dust and debris to be collected,
perhaps by a bag connected to the channel or by other vacuum apparatus. Typically
the dust and debris is collected from the cur area by the airflow created by rotation
of the blade, and carried upwardly and around the guard as indicated by arrow 117
by the airflow to an exit aperture, typically located at a tangent ro the airflow
above the blade.
[0070] The base 3 of the apparatus can also be used to allow other components to be stored
therewith and in this case, a push member 118 is shown in a storage position via slotted
apertures 120 which are received on first and second fixing means 122 attached to
the base. The push member is provided for use when the apparatus is in the operating
mode in which the cutting unit is stationery and the work piece is required to be
pushed towards the blade. In one embodiment the base may be provided with side and
length extensions to support the workpiece beyond the periphery of the base.
[0071] There is therefore provided apparatus which allows work pieces to be cut effectively
and efficiently and also to allow the same to be cur on site using the apparatus as
herein described.
[0072] There is therefore provided a compact and efficient cutting apparatus which is operable
in two modes thereby allowing the workpiece to be inserted width wise across the cutting
plane so as to be bisected without being obstructed by the product structure and also
allow angular cuts to be achieved.
1. A powered cutting apparatus, said apparatus comprising a base (3) onto which a work
piece to be cut can be placed, and guide means including at least first and second
slide members, (68, 70) a cutting unit (10) comprising a rotatable blade (9), a guard
(96) for the same, and drive means (56) for rotating said blade when switched on,
a bearing assembly (64) which mounts the cutting unit on the slide members (68, 70)
and a handle assembly (66) for gripping to move the cutting unit (10), the blade (9)
is spaced from the guide means and a locking assembly (95) is provided to allow the
operation of the apparatus in a first mode in which the cutting unit (10) is movable
along the guide means when the locking assembly (95) is released from the guide means
and in a second mode when the locking assembly (95) is locked with the guide means
and in which the cutting unit (10) is fixed in position on the guide means and the
workpiece is moved past the same, the cutting unit (10) is offset to one side of the
said at least first and second slide members (68,70) of the guide means, a slot (6)
is provided in the base (3), said slot (6) running parallel to at least one of the
at least two spaced parallel slide members (68,70) and the rotatable blade (9) is
positioned with at least a lower portion thereof received within the slot (6) and
the rotatable blade (9) moves along the slot (6) when the cutting unit (10) is moved
along the at least two spaced parallel slide members (68,70), the guard is movable
between a lowered position and a raised position, has a leading edge (100) which abuts
with a leading face (107) of the work piece (103) and which raises upwardly to move
along the top surface (105) of the workpiece to allow the blade (9) to be exposed
to cut the workpiece as the cutting unit (10) is moved with respect to the workpiece
in the first mode, and the workpiece is moved with respect to the cutting unit (10)
in the second mode and the guard position is biased towards the lowered position to
contact with the base (3) and returns to that position when the workpiece (103) is
no longer positioned between the underside (102) of the guard (96) and the base (3)
so that the blade (9) is substantially enclosed by the combination of the guard (96)
and the slot (6) in the base (3) and wherein said bearing assembly is attached to
both of said at least two parallel slide members (68, 70) in order to limit movement
of the cutting unit (10) to a linear direction only in parallel with the said slide
members (68, 70) and said slot (6) in order to move said blade (9) along said slot
(6) and to retain the axis of rotation of the blade (9) at a fixed height with respect
to the base (3), and characterized in that said first and second slide members (68, 70) are located so as to be one above the
other with respect to the base (3), and said slide members (68, 70) are held in a
spaced position by first and second mounting brackets (76, 80), with one of said brackets
secured to the base (3) at each end of the slide members (68, 70).
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the guard (96) is capable of being held in a fixed, safety position by an interlock
assembly (94).
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 characterised in that the interlock assembly (94) and hence guard (96) can be released from the fixed position
by an operator manually when the apparatus is in the first mode of operation and by
the locking assembly when in position when the apparatus is in the second mode of
operation.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the cutting unit (10) is provided to be slidably movable along the said slide members
(68, 70) in the first mode to cut through a stationary workpiece to form a cross cut
and in the second mode is located in a fixed position with respect to the said slide
members and the work piece is moved past the blade to perform the cutting action to
form a rip cut.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the drive means (56) is in the form of an electric motor which is mounted with its
longitudinal axis in a substantially horizontal plane, perpendicular to the axis of
rotation of the blade.
1. Kraftbetriebene Schneidvorrichtung (1), wobei die genannte Vorrichtung eine Basis
(3), auf die ein zu schneidendes Werkstück gelegt werden kann, und Führungsmittel,
die wenigstens ein erstes und ein zweites Schiebeelement (68, 70) beinhalten, eine
Schneideinheit (10), die ein rotationsfähiges Blatt (9), einen Schutz (96) für dasselbe
und ein Antriebsmittel (56) zum Drehen des genannten Blatts, wenn es eingeschaltet
ist, aufweist, eine Lageranordnung (64), die die Schneideinheit an den Schiebeelementen
(68, 70) haltert, und eine Griffanordnung (66) zum Ergreifen zum Bewegen der Schneideinheit
(10) aufweist, das Blatt (9) dabei von den Führungsmitteln beabstandet ist und eine
Sicherungsanordnung (95) bereitgestellt ist, um den Betrieb der Vorrichtung in einer
ersten Betriebsart, in der die Schneideinheit (10) an den Führungsmitteln entlang
bewegbar ist, wenn die Sicherungsanordnung (95) aus den Führungsmitteln ausgelöst
ist, und in einer zweiten Betriebsart, wenn die Sicherungsanordnung (95) an den Führungsmitteln
arretiert ist und in der die Schneideinheit (10) formschlüssig an den Führungsmitteln
fixiert ist und das Werkstück an derselben vorbeibewegt wird, zuzulassen, die Schneideinheit
(10) zu einer Seite des genannten wenigstens ersten und zweiten Schiebeelements (68,
70) der Führungsmittel hin versetzt ist, eine Aussparung (6) in der Basis (3) bereitgestellt
ist, die genannte Aussparung (6) dabei parallel zu wenigstens einem der wenigstens
zwei beabstandeten parallelen Schiebeelemente (68, 70) verläuft und das rotationsfähige
Blatt (9) mit wenigstens einem unteren Teil davon in der Aussparung (6) aufgenommen
positioniert ist und das rotationsfähige Blatt (9) sich die Aussparung (6) entlang
bewegt, wenn die Schneideinheit (10) an den wenigstens zwei beabstandeten parallelen
Schiebeelementen (68, 70) entlang bewegt wird, der Schutz zwischen einer abgesenkten
Stellung und einer angehobenen Stellung bewegbar ist, eine Vorderkante (100) hat,
die an einer Stirnfläche (107) des Werkstücks (103) in Anlage ist und die sich nach
oben hebt, um sich an der oberen Oberfläche (105) des Werkstücks entlang zu bewegen,
damit das Blatt (9) in der ersten Betriebsart beim Bewegen der Schneideinheit (10)
mit Bezug auf das Werkstück freigelegt werden kann, um das Werkstück zu schneiden,
und das Werkstück in der zweiten Betriebsart in Bezug auf die Schneideinheit (10)
bewegt wird und die Schutzposition zur abgesenkten Stellung hin vorgespannt ist, um
mit der Basis (3) in Kontakt zu sein, und in diese Stellung zurückkehrt, wenn das
Werkstück (103) nicht mehr zwischen der Unterseite (102) des Schutzes (96) und der
Basis (3) positioniert ist, so dass das Blatt (9) von der Kombination aus dem Schutz
(96) und der Aussparung (6) in der Basis (3) im Wesentlichen eingeschlossen ist, und
wobei die genannte Lageranordnung an beiden der genannten wenigstens zwei parallelen
Schiebeelemente (68, 70) angebracht ist, um die Bewegung der Schneideinheit (10) auf
nur eine lineare Richtung parallel zu den genannten Schiebeelementen (68, 70) und
der genannten Aussparung (6) zu begrenzen, um das genannte Blatt (9) entlang der genannten
Aussparung (6) zu bewegen und die Drehachse des Blatts (9) auf einer festen Höhe mit
Bezug auf die Basis (3) festzuhalten, und dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das genannte erste und zweite Schiebeelement (68, 70) so positioniert sind, dass
sie mit Bezug auf die Basis (3) übereinander liegen, und die genannten Schiebeelemente
(68, 70) von einer ersten und einer zweiten befestigenden Halterung (76, 80) auf einer
beabstandeten Position gehalten werden, wobei eine der genannten Halterungen an der
Basis (3) an jedem Ende der Schiebeelemente (68, 70) befestigt ist.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schutz (96) von einer Verriegelungsanordnung (94) in einer fixierten Sicherheitsstellung
gehalten werden kann.
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verriegelungsanordnung (94) und daher der Schutz (96) von einem Bediener manuell
aus der fixierten Stellung, wenn die Vorrichtung in der ersten Betriebsart ist, und
durch die Verriegelungsanordnung, wenn in Position, wenn die Vorrichtung in der zweiten
Betriebsart ist, ausgelöst werden kann.
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schneideinheit (10) bereitgestellt ist, um in der ersten Betriebsart an den genannten
Schiebeelementen (68, 70) entlang verschiebbar bewegbar zu sein, um durch ein stationäres
Werkstück zum Bilden eines Querschnitts zu schneiden, und sich in der zweiten Betriebsart
in einer fixierten Stellung mit Bezug auf die genannten Schiebeelemente befindet und
das Werkstück an dem Blatt vorbeibewegt wird, um den Schneidvorgang zum Bilden eines
Längsschnitts durchzuführen.
5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Antriebsmittel (56) die Form eines Elektromotors hat, der mit seiner Längsachse
in einer im Wesentlichen horizontalen Ebene, lotrecht zur Drehachse des Blatts, montiert
ist.